Itinerary:
2 December: Arrival.
3 December: Flight to Cumana, and the Arraya Peninsula.
4 December: Finca Vuelta Larga.
5 December: Cerro Humo.
6 December: Caño Aji (Tuepano N. Park) and Oilbird.
7 December: Cerro Negro.
8 December: Caripe and Drive to Rio Grande (Palmar).
9 December: Rio Grande (Imataca Reserve).
10 December: Rio Grande (Imataca Reserve).
11 December: Morning at Rio Grande and Drive to Las Claritas.
12 December: Escaleras Road (Canaima N. Park).
13 December: Guianan Trail (San Miguel de Betania).
14 December: Escalers Road and La Gran Sabana.
15 December: Km 88 (Capuchingbird Road) and Escaleras Road.
16 December: Drive to Puerto Ordaz and Cachamay City Park.

Daily Log:

3 December
After a little breakfast in the airport and a short flight to Cumana, we met with our driver Paul, and headed to the Arraya Peninsula. As there had just been an election we passed many partying people on the streets celebrating the recently announced result along the way. We arrived on the peninsula in early afternoon, and started the tour in earnest by birding some dry desert scrub that produced Glaucous Tanager, Buffy Hummingbird, Black faced Grassquit, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Bicolored Wren, and Northern White-fringed Antwren. We then visited a wetland area on the Arraya where we found Caribbean Flamingoes, some stunning Scarlet Ibises and a bunch of shorebirds. The day finished with us getting cracking views of Yellow Shouldered Parrots, in addition to Bare-faced Pigeon and Russet-throated Puffbird, before we drove to Carupano for the night.

4 December
We departed early for Finca Vuelta Larga (Guararuno), where we birded the Caño Ajie Road, a great birding area that got us two Crimson-hooded Manakins, White-chested Emerald, Green Ibis, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Cinnamon Attila, Brown-throated Parakeet and Stripe-backed Wren. However the undoubted highlight of the morning was finding a nesting Black-dotted Piculet, a very cute Venezuelan endemic. In the afternoon we birded around the farm itself, with the owner Daniel for company, where we enjoyed great views of four Horned Screamers, as well as Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Oriole and Red-breasted Blackbirds, Wood Stork and a hunting Peregrine Falcon.

Female BLACK-DOTTED PICULET and... Caño Ajie Road

male BLACK-DOTTED PICULET at its nest hole Caño Ajie Road

5 December
A very early start was needed on this day as we set off for Cerro Humo, where we targeted some of the key endemics in the area. It turned out to be a great day as we saw many great birds and almost all of the key species we were looking for. Our morning at Cerro Humo brought us some really cool birds like Blue-necked Chlorophonia, Venezuelan White-eyed Parakeet, Paria Whitestart, and Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white Wrens all around the refuge. Later in the morning we walked a trail, specifically searching for some different key species, particularly White tailed Sabrewing, and the amazing Scissor-tailed hummingbird. Thankfully we saw both of these superb hummers well, while a fruiting tree in the same area held the well-named Handsome Fruiteater, along with a Groove-billed Toucanet. This trail proved to be good to us, as later in the morning we found the endemic race of Slate-crowned Antpitta along there, a vocally distinctive subspecies that some people tout as a future species in its own right. After lunch we walked a different trail where we added White-tipped Quetzal, White-throated Barbtail and Plain-backed Antpitta to the list, and enjoyed further views of the highly-sought after endemic Scissor-tailed Hummingbird.

SLATE-CROWNED ANTPITTA Cerro Humo

RUFOUS-AND-WHITE WREN Cerro Humo

6 December
The morning was spent taking a boat ride in the Caño Ajies area of Turuepano National Park. Our main target here was Rufous Crab-hawk, although all we could find prior to a heavy rainstorm that had us scrambling for our ponchos, were some Common Black-Hawks and Muscovy Ducks. After the rain receded we came across our quarry, when we found at least two Rufous Crab-Hawks in addition to a bunch of Bicolored Conebills, another wetland specialty. The ride back to the dock also brought us Jet and Black-chinned Antbirds. After our late, post boat cruise, breakfast we headed towards Caripe, making many stops en route for Trinidad Euphonia, Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, and a noisy lek of Lance-tailed Manakins. We arrived in the Sabana de Piedra area in late afternoon, getting in some final birding that brought us wintering Tennessee Warbler, White-winged Tanager, Black-and-white Becard, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Pale-breasted Thrush and Coppery-rumped Hummingbird.

7 December
The main target for our morning in the Cerro Negro was the rare, threatened Gray-headed Warbler. To get the warbler a fairly strenuous hike is required, that involves a climb of 500m in altitude to reach the optimum elevation for the warbler. The walk to this area brought other new trip birds like Cocoa Woodcreeper, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and best of all, a Gray-throated Leaftosser right on the trail (normally, a shy and very difficult species to see). The hike up there took it out of us, although thankfully we soon heard a Gray-headed Warbler calling after reaching the prime area, and enjoyed great views of this rare bird for over ten minutes; while a group of at least five White-throated Barbtails also put in a welcome appearance, making the trip up there all the more worthwhile. With the main target seen well, I reached for my scope to head back down the trail. Although as I did so another key endemic, the gorgeous Venezuelan Sylph, came straight for my Swarovski, attracted by the red cap that I was using to cover my eyepiece - if only all endemics could be that easy! The much easier walk down brought us some other new birds, including Green-tailed Emerald, Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch and Inca Jay. Once down at the bottom again we rested, ate lunch in town and then headed straight off for one of the highlights of the tour. We made a special afternoon trip to visit the famous Oilbird caves near Caripe, and witnessed these seriously strange birds resting up for the day at close range. A very bizarre bird, being one of only a few bird species that uses echolocation. Whilst in this area we also picked up Scarlet-fronted Parakeet and White-tipped Swift.

YELLOW-SHOULDERED PARROT Arraya Peninsula

CHESTNUT-TIPPED TOUCANET Escaleras Road

8 December
This day of the tour involved a fairly long drive to get to our final destination, El Palmar (Rio Grande). However, there was always time for a few birds on the way, that included Ultramarine Grosbeak, Common Thornbird, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Masked Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned Oriole and Amazon Kingfisher around San Francisco; and another stop produced Fuscous Flycatcher, Forest Elaenia, Pale-breasted Hermit, Red-billed Scythebill and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Passing near San Jose Lake Brian spotted a couple of Maguari Storks, while at the lake itself we found a couple of nice hummers in the form of four White-tailed Goldenthroats and several Ruby-topaz Hummingbirds. During the remainder of the journey towards El Palmar for the night, we managed to find Aplomado Falcon and Whistling Heron among others.

9 December
Today had a very different feel to the first part of the tour, as it represented our first venture into the rainforest at the Venezuelan Imataca (Rio Grande) Reserve in Bolivar province. A little more humid than the other areas we had experienced so far on the tour, although this new, bird rich habitat brought us a load of fantastic birds. These included the spectacular Ferruginous-backed Antbird that came in close to check us out, and we were also delighted by the wonderful melodious sounds of a Musician Wren. A bunch of other cool species also showed up, including Eastern Long-tailed Hummingbird, White-throated Manakin, Green-tailed and Great Jacamars, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, and Red-necked Woodpecker. A busy morning for birds there saw us scanning through several large mixed feeding flocks that contained Cinereous Antshrike, Gray and Long-winged Antwrens, Olivaceous Flatbill, Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, Curve-billed Scythebill, Buff-cheeked Greenlet, Whiskered Flycatcher, Fulvous-shrike Tanager and Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner. A real surprise find there was a singing, tape-responsive Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner that may prove to be the first record from this area of Venezuela. A lunch break from the madness of all these new birds found us in the company of a roosting sandy-colored Great Potoo. Rejuvenated after our lunch stop we headed back into the rainforest for another 'barrage' of birds, that included some real 'lookers' like Rufous-capped Antthrush and Black-throated Trogon, in addition to a Great Tinamou, before a deluge of rain had us retreating to the car for the journey back to El Palmar for another night. A break from the rain at the end of the day allowed us to finish with great views of a Rufescent Tiger-Heron and a Crested Bobwhite.

GREEN-TAILED EMERALD Cerro Negro

REDDISH HERMIT Rio Grande

10 December
This was another red-letter day for the tour, as we were after one of THE birds that brings birders from all over the world to this part of Venezuela - the mighty Harpy Eagle. This massive raptor, with talons the size of a bear's claws, has a fairly widespread range, although it is rare throughout this and as these impressive eagles generally occupy huge home ranges in pristine tracts of rainforest, it can be a very difficult species to find in many other parts of its global range. From my time growing up in the Ecuadorian Amazon I understand this well, as I have only had a handful of sightings there during all this time. Thankfully this area of Eastern Venezuela is one of the Harpy Eagle's main strongholds and, more importantly, one of the most reliable places in the world to see it. Our local guide, Xavier met us and took us straight to the nest, where we found a large chick and adult awaiting our arrival. The most surprising thing on seeing the nest was its location - expecting it to be typically situated in the heart of the rainforest, (as in previous years here, and as is normal for other Harpy sites elsewhere), this Harpy had other ideas and had nested in an open tree at the edge of the forest, away from the main forest block! Although we were not complaining at this, as it allowed us all to get great views of the nest, the chick and the adult of what for me is the undisputed 'King of the Forest'. Other birds in this general area (that were inevitably overshadowed by the awesome Harpy), included Black Nunbird, White-bellied Antbird, Rufous-winged Antwren, Guianan Slaty Antshrike, Dusky Parrot, and Red-and-green Macaw. Having seen most of our targets birds there we headed to Rio Grande and birded some riverine habitat, specifically targeting birds that we had missed on our previous morning. This allowed us to add Riverside Warbler, Plain-crowned Spinetail, and Green Aracari to the list. While some later birding back in the thick of the rainforest got us our first White Hawk, a Mouse-colored Antsrike that Brian spotted in the midst of a heavy rain storm, Cayanne Jay, Paradise Jacamar, Yellow-green Grosbeak, White-crested Spadebill, Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Little Chachalaca and Coraya Wren.

HARPY EAGLE Rio Grande

BLACK NUNBIRD Rio Grande

11 December
This was our final day birding the rich rainforests of Rio Grande, so we set about looking for specific gaps on our list. We began by adding Great Black-Hawk, Green Oropendola and Black-necked Aracari, while mixed feeding flocks again were in evidence producing other new trip birds like Weved and Golden-collared Woodpeckers, Caica Parrot, Brown-bellied and Rufous-bellied Antwrens. Other highlights of the morning included incredible views of a perched Lined Forest-Falcon and Yellow-billed Jacamar; and unbelievable, scope views of the normally shy Thrush-like Antpitta. As if that was not enough, I informed everyone to keep an eye out for Red-fan Parrot, and after alerting everyone to the sound of a nearby calling bird, Brian found this impressive parrot perched close by. After this superb mornings birding we slowly made our way to Las Claritas, where we would be spending the remaining nights of the tour, picking up White-faced and Black bellied Whistling-Ducks, Purple-throated and Trinidad Euphonias, plus another look at Golden-spangled Piculet along the way.

12 December
Today we headed to the Escaleras Road in the Sierra De Lema Reserve, a famous birding site that combines superb forest birding with the great backdrop of the distinctive flat-topped Tepuis mountains, that are sprinkled across this part of eastern Venezuela and neighboring Guyana. Some of the tours sexiest birds are found around these scenic mountains, and this morning was no exception with Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Scarlet-horned Manakin and a host of Tepuis specialties including Flutist Wren, Tepui Greenlet, Guianan Toucanet, Roraiman Warbler, Ash-winged Antwren, Tepui Whitestart, Rose-collared Piha, Olive-backed Tanager and Rufous-breasted Sabrewing. A short drive later found us in the company of 7 or 8 Golden-tufted Mountain-Grackles. Despite the rain seeming to have followed us from the Rio Grande, we still had a great days birding, and along with the aforementioned key bird, we found Chetnut-tipped Toucanet, Velvet-browed Brilliant, Blue-fronted Lancebill and our second Antpitta of the trip 'teed-up' in the scope, with a superb Scaled Antpitta.

MORICHE ORIOLE Cuyuni River

SCALED ANTPITTA Escaleras Road

13 December
Today we birded the so-called 'Guianan Trail', as people from Guyana (only 20km away from this section of southern Venezuela), cross the border to come and buy food in nearby Las Claritas. A few birds were found right by the trail entrance like Scaled Pigeon, White-chinned Sapphire, while the recently split Blue-cheeked Parrot was seen circling overhead. On the trail itself, White-browed Antbird, Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, McConnells Flycatcher, and White-crowned Manakin all put in an appearance, and up in the canopy a Todd's Antwren was found, (an often hard species to see, due to its treetop existence). On the way back up the trail we picked up another local specialty, Tiny Tyrant-Manakin, that was a good close to our morning. The afternoon saw us chasing another of Eastern Venezuela's star birds - Capuchinbird. This cotinga is strange and like no other in many ways, so unsurprisingly is the sole member of its genus. Capuchinbirds make strange cow-like mooing noises when lekking that has given rise to its other name, Calfbird. Unfortunately when we arrived at the traditional lek site I was shocked to find that the main lekking trees had been removed since my last visit, meaning that finding them might be a little tougher than anticipated. Sure enough they took some finding but eventually we all got great looks at this fantastic cotinga. Other birds seen in the afternoon there included Lineated Woodcreeper, Yellow-throated Flycatcher and Paradise Tanager. I managed to persuade everyone to hang out a little later until just after dusk, when we tried for (and got), Roraiman Screech-Owl.

14 December
For our final day out of Las Claritas we mixed up some final Tepuis birding on the Escaleras Road, with some dry country birding in the Gran Sabana. The day began well with six stunning Guianan Cock-of-the-rocks at the beginning of the Escaleras, and a short time later a feeding flock held the endemics Roraiman Antwren, Tepui Spinetail, and males of both Tepui and Scarlet-horned Manakins. At the top end of the road a calling Streak-backed Antshrike alerted us to its presence, and a little use of playback brought a pair in really close. Although I had not heard a single bird calling in our time around the Tepui, I tried scanning the treetops anyway and lucked onto a gleaming male White Bellbird sat out in the open. The highlight of the morning though was finding three key endemics all in one spot - White-throated Foliage-Gleaner, Tepui Whitestart and the rare, hard to find Roraiman Barbtail. While only a little further on a calling antpitta had us rushing into the brush where we found one of our final Tepui targets - a Tepui Antpitta perched up nicely. Before we headed off to the Gran Sabana we picked up some other Tepui species, like McConell's Spinetail, Tepui Brush-Finch, while hundreds of Tepui Parrotlets streamed overhead throughout the morning. It was then off to the Gran Sabana where we found Tawny-headed Swallow, Striped-tailed Yellow-finch and a flock of 20 or more Fiery-shouldered Parakeets in a tiny patch of roadside forest. Late in the afternoon we added one of our last Tepui species for the trip, with a fine Tepui Goldenthroat.

15 December
Today we started with a thrilling hummingbird when a chipping call from the treetops had us homing in on a spanking male Crimson Topaz. Other species in the same area included Swallow-winged Puffbird sallying for insects from a dead snag, and a Paradise Jacamar. A foray along the Cuyuni River proved to be a good birding spot with Spot-tailed, Pygmy and Guianan Antwrens, Striped Woodcreeper, and Black-throated and Black-chinned Antbirds. Across a small wooden bridge we came across a busy mixed-species feeding flock that contained Flame-crested Tanager, Lemon-chested Greenlet, and Golden-collared and Yellow-tufted Woodpeckers; while a Moriche Oriole was found a little later right in someone's backyard. We couldn't resist checking out the Escaleras Road just one more time that paid off with a Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher, before we left this great birding site for the last time. For the second year in a row I spent my birthday in Las Claritas, not bad considering the day we'd had birding in this area.

16 December
For our last day of the tour we made our way to Puerto Ordaz, with a little birding along the way producing White-banded and White-winged Swallows, and Bat and Laughing Falcons. We made one last stop at Cachamai City Park, for our final target bird of the trip, Black-collared Swallow, which we got in amongst the melee of day visitors to this popular urban park. Not the most scenic of birding stops, and we sure looked strange in amongst all the city dwellers, but we didn't care as we'd got the swallow. Other birds on the route back included Ochre-lored and Yellow-olive Flatbills, and Brown-crested Flycatcher. We then flew from Puerto Odaz to Caracas where the tour ended with us saying our good-byes, and talking of our next possible birding trip to South Africa. I for one hope this comes off, as if we get some of the luck that we had on this trip we should end with a nice list of birds!

Bird List:

The Taxonomy and nomenclature of this list follow: Steve L. Hilty. Birds of Venezuela. Second edition. 2003. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

All species listed were seen by at least one person in the group. Species marked with an H were only heard.

TINAMOUS Tinamidae
Great Tinamou Tinamus major
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui H
Variegated Tinamou Crypturellus variegates H
Red-legged Tinamou Crypturellus erythropus H

GREBES Podicipedidae
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

PELICANS Pelecanidae
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

CORMORANTS Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

DARTERS Anhingidae
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

FRIGATEBIRDS Fregatidae
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens

SCREAMERS Anhimidae
Horned Screamer Anhima cornuta

DUCKS AND GEESE Anatidae
White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Masked Duck Nomonyx dominica

FLAMINGOS Phoenicopteridae
American (Caribbean) Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS Ardeidae
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striatus
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea

IBISES Threskiornithidae
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber

STORKS Ciconiidae
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Maguari Stork Euxenura maguari
NEW WORLD VULTURES Cathartidae
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus

OSPREY Pandionidae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus

KITES, HAWKS, AND EAGLES Accipitridae
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis
Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii
Slender-billed Kite Rostrhamus hamatus
White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Rufous Crab-Hawk Buteogallus aequinoctialis
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis
Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus
Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus

FALCONS AND CARACARAS Falconidae
Black Caracara Daptrius ater
Red-throated Caracara Ibycter americanus
Northern Crested-Caracara Caracara cheriway
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Lined Forest-Falcon Micrastur gilvicollis
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

CHACHALACAS, GUANS, ETC. Cracidae
Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda
Little Chachalaca Ortalis motmot
Spix's Guan Penelope jacquacu

WOOD-QUAIL & BOBWHITES Odontophoridae
Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus

RAILS AND COOTS Rallidae
Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica
Common Gallinule (Moorhen) Gallinula chloropus

LIMPKIN Aramidae
Limpkin Aramus guarauna

LAPWINGS AND PLOVERS Charadriidae
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Gray Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

OYSTERCATCHERS Haematopodidae
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

JACANAS Jacanidae
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana

SANDPIPERS AND SNIPES Scolopacidae
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS Stercorariidae
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex

PIGEONS AND DOVES Columbidae
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Scaled Pigeon Columba speciosa
Bare-eyed Pigeon Columba corensis
Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis
Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea
Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa H
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla
Lined Quail-Dove Geotrygon linearis
Violaceous Quail-Dove Geotrygon violacea
Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana

MACAWS, PARROTS, ETC. Psittacidae
Red-and-green Macaw Ara chloroptera
Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet Aratinga wagleri
White-eyed Parakeet Aratinga leucophthalmus H
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax
Painted Parakeet Pyrrhura picta picta
Venezuelan (White-eared) Parakeet Pyrrhura (leucotis) emma
Fiery-shouldered Parakeet Pyrrhura egregia
Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Golden-winged Parakeet Brotogeris chrysopterus
Tepui Parrotlet Nannopsittaca panychlora
Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephala
Caica Parrot Pionopsitta caica
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus
Dusky Parrot Pionus fuscus
Blue-cheeked Parrot Amazona dufresniana
Festive Parrot Amazona festiva
Yellow-shouldered Parrot Amazona barbadensis
Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala
Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica
Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
Red-fan Parrot Deroptyus accipitrinus

CUCKOOS AND ANIS Cuculidae
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani

TYPICAL OWLS Strigidae
Foothill (Roraima) Screech-Owl Otus roraimae
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

OILBIRD Steatornithidae
Oilbird Steatornis caripensis

POTOOS Nyctibiidae
Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis
Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus

NIGHTHAWKS & NIGHTJARS Caprimulgidae
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis

SWIFTS Apodidae
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Chestnut-collared Swift Cypseloides rutilus H
Tepui Swift Cypseloides phelpsi
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura
Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicauda
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
Neotropical (Fork-tailed) Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata

HUMMINGBIRDS Trochilidae
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsuta
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Eastern Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus
Pale-bellied Hermit Phaethornis anthophilus
Sooty-capped Hermit Phaethornis augusti
Reddish Hermit Phaethornis ruber
Blue-fronted Lancebill Doryfera johannae
Gray-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus hyperythrus
White-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus ensipennis
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae
Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird Chrysolampis mosquitus
Crimson Topaz Topaza pella
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus
Green-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon alice
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata
White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus
Golden-tailed Sapphire Chrysuronia oenone
White-tailed Goldenthroat Polytmus guainumbi
Tepui Goldenthroat Polytmus milleri
Buffy Hummingbird Leucippus fallax
White-chested Emerald Amazilia chionopectus
Versicolored Emerald Amazilia versicolor
Glittering-throated Emerald Amazilia fimbriata
Copper-rumped Hummingbird Amazilia tobaci
Velvet-browed Brilliant Heliodoxa xanthogonys
Scissor-tailed Hummingbird Hylonympha macrocerca
Venezuelan Sylph Aglaiocercus berlepschi
Black-eared Fairy Heliothryx aurita

TROGONS Trogonidae
White-tipped Quetzal Pharomachrus fulgidus
Amazonian White-tailed Trogon Trogon viridis
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon Trogon personatus
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
Amazonian Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus

KINGFISHERS Cerylidae
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana

MOTMOTS Momotidae
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota H

JACAMARS Galbulidae
Brown Jacamar Brachygalba lugubris H
Yellow-billed Jacamar Galbula albirostris
Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
Green-tailed Jacamar Galbula galbula
Paradise Jacamar Galbula dea
Great Jacamar Jacamerops aureus

PUFFBIRDS Bucconidae
Russet-throated (Two-banded) Puffbird Hypnelus ruficollis bicinctus
Black Nunbird Monasa atra
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa

AMERICAN BARBETS & TOUCANS Ramphastidae
Black-spotted Barbet Capito niger
Groove-billed Toucanet Aulacorhynchus sulcatus
Chestnut-tipped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus derbianus
Guianan Toucanet Selenidera culik
Black-necked Araçari Pteroglossus aracari
Green Araçari Pteroglossus viridis
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus
White-throated Toucan Ramphastos tucanus

WOODPECKERS & PICULETS Picidae
Golden-spangled Piculet Picumnus exilis
Black-dotted (Black-spotted) Piculet Picumnus nigropunctatus
Spot-breasted Woodpecker Chrysoptilus punctigula
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Waved Woodpecker Celeus undatus
Cream-colored Woodpecker Celeus flavus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Golden-collared Woodpecker Veniliornis cassini
Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii H
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos
Red-necked Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis

OVENBIRDS Furnariidae
McConnell's Spinetail Synallaxis macconnelli
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens
Plain-crowned Spinetail Synallaxis gujanensis
Stripe-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis cinnamomea
Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomea
Tepui Spinetail Cranioleuca demissa
Plain (Common) Thornbird Phacellodomus (rufifrons) inornatus
Roraiman Barbtail Roraimia adusta
White-throated Barbtail Premnoplex tatei
Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner Phylidor Pyrrhodes
Tepui (White-throated) Foliage-gleaner Automolus roraimae
Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner Automolus infuscatus
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Gray-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus albigularis

WOODCREEPERS Dendrocolaptidae
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper Dendrexetastes rufigula
Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Amazonian Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes certhia H
Striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus obsoletus
Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus pardalotus
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus polystictus
Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Lineated Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes albolineatus
Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris
Curve-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus procurvoides

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS Thamnophilidae
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus
Black-throated Antshrike Frederickena viridis
Great Antshrike Taraba major
Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Mouse-colored Antshrike Thamnophilus murinus
Guianan (Northern) Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus punctatus
Streak-backed Antshrike Thamnophilus insignis
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
Dusky-throated Antshrike Thamnomanes ardesiacus
Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius
Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura
Guianan Streaked-Antwren (Antwren) Myrmotherula surinamensis
Rufous-bellied Antwren Myrmotherula guttata
Brown-bellied Antwren Myrmotherula gutturalis
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
Long-winged Antwren Myrmotherula longipennis
Gray Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii
Spot-tailed Antwren Herpsilochmus sticturus
Todd's Antwren Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
Roraiman Antwren Herpsilochmus roraimae
Rufous-winged Antwren Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus
Northern White-fringed Antwren Formicivora (grisea) intermedia
Long-tailed Antbird Drymophila caudate H
Ash-winged Antwren Terenura spodioptila
Gray Antbird Cercomacra cinerascens H
Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina
Jet Antbird Cercomacra nigricans
White-browed Antbird Myrmoborus leucophrys
Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis cantator
Black-chinned Antbird Hypocnemoides melanopogon
Spot-backed Antbird Hylophylax naevia
Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia H
White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes
Ferruginous-backed Antbird Myrmeciza ferruginea
Black-throated Antbird Myrmeciza atrothorax
White-plumed Antbird Pithys albifrons H
Rufous-throated Antbird Gymnopithys rufigula

GROUND ANTBIRDS Formicariidae
Rufous-capped Antthrush Formicarius colma
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis
Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis
Plain-backed Antpitta Grallaria haplonota
Thrush-like Antpitta Myrmothera campanisona
Tepui Antpitta Myrmothera simplex
Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Tyrannidae
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseiceps
Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet Phaeomyias murina
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimardii
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Sierran Elaenia Elaenia pallatangae
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus H
Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus
McConnell's Flycatcher Mionectes macconnelli
Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris
Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis ecaudatus
Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus galeatus
Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pilaris
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer
Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus russatum
Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus sylvia
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Painted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum pictum
Rufous-tailed Flatbill Ramphotrigon ruficauda H
Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
Yellow-olive Flatbill (Flycatcher) Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Zimmer's (Yellow-margined) Flatbill (Flyc.) Tolmomyias assimilis
Gray-crowned Flatbill (Flycatcher) Tolmomyias poliocephalus
Ochre-lored Flatbill (Yellow-breasted Flyc.) Tolmomyias flaviventris
White-crested Spadebill Platyrinchus platyrhynchos
Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus H
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus H
Whiskered Flycatcher Myiobius barbatus
Flavescent Flycatcher Myiophobus flavicans H
Roraiman Flycatcher Myiophobus roraimae
Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus
Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi
Euler's Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri
Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea
Rufous-tailed Tyrant Knipolegus poecilurus
Yellow-browed Tyrant Satrapa icterophrys
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Cinnamon Attila Attila cinnamomeus
Grayish Mourner Rhytipterna simplex
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Short-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus ferox
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lictor
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Yellow-throated Flycatcher Conopias parva
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Golden-crowned Flycatcher Myiodynastes chrysocephalus H
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius H
Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana
Thrush-like Schiffornis Schiffornis turdinus H
Wing-barred Piprites Piprites chloris H
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans
Rose-collared Piha Lipaugus streptophorus
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
Black-and-white Becard Pachyramphus albogriseus
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana

COTINGAS Cotingidae
Handsome Fruiteater Pipreola formosa
Spangled Cotinga Cotinga cayana
Bearded Bellbird Procnias averano H
White Bellbird Procnias alba
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
Capuchinbird Perissocephalus tricolor
Guianan Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola rupicola

MANAKINS Pipridae
Olive Manakin Chloropipo uniformis
White-throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis
Lance-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia lanceolata
Crimson-hooded Manakin Pipra aureola
Scarlet-horned Manakin Pipra cornuta
Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala
White-crowned Manakin Pipra pipra
Orange-bellied (Tepui) Manakin Lepidothrix suavissima
Tiny Tyrant-Manakin Tyranneutes virescens

VIREOS AND GREENLETS Vireonidae
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius leucotis
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes
Lemon-chested Greenlet Hylophilus thoracicus
Tepui Greenlet Hylophilus sclateri
Golden-fronted Greenlet Hylophilus aurantiifrons
Buff-cheeked Greenlet Hylophilus muscicapinus

JAYS Corvidae
Cayenne Jay Cyanocorax cayanus
Inca (Green) Jay Cyanocorax yncas

MARTINS AND SWALLOWS Hirundinidae
Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata
Black-collared Swallow Atticora melanoleuca
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Tawny-headed Swallow Stelgidopteryx fucata
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

WRENS Troglodytidae
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapillus
Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus
Stripe-backed Wren Campylorhynchus nuchalis
Coraya Wren Thryothorus coraya
Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus
Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Musician Wren Cyphorhinus arada
Flutist Wren Microcerculus ustulatus

GNATWRENS & GNATCATCHERS Polioptilidae
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea

SOLITAIRES AND THRUSHES Turdidae
Rufous-brown Solitaire Cichlopsis leucogenys
Yellow-legged Thrush Platycichla flavipes
Black-hooded Thrush Turdus olivater
Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus nudigenis
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis

MOCKINGBIRDS Mimidae
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus

WOOD-WARBLERS Parulidae
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Yellow Warbler Dendroica (petechia) aestiva
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Slate-throated Whitestart (Redstart) Myioborus miniatus
Paria (Yellow-faced) Whitestart (Redstart) Myioborus pariae
Tepui Whitestart (Redstart) Myioborus castaneocapillus
Roraiman (Two-banded) Warbler Basileuterus (bivittatus) roraimae
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Gray-headed Warbler Basileuterus griseiceps
Riverside Warbler (Neotropical River Warbler) Basileuterus rivularis

TANAGERS Thraupidae
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Bicolored Conebill Conirostrum bicolor
Magpie Tanager Cissopis leveriana
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
Yellow-backed Tanager Hemithraupis flavicollis
Olive-backed Tanager Mitrospingus oleagineus
Fulvous Shrike-Tanager Lanio fulvus
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Fulvous-crested Tanager Tachyphonus surinamus
Red-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus phoenicius
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Glaucous Tanager Thraupis glaucocolpa
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala
Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
Trinidad Euphonia Euphonia trinitatis
Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia chlorotica
Rufous-bellied Euphonia Euphonia rufiventris
Golden-sided Euphonia Euphonia cayennensis
Plumbeous Euphonia Euphonia plumbea
White-lored Euphonia Euphonia chrysopasta
Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea
Black-headed Tanager Tangara cyanoptera
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana
Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana
Opal-rumped Tanager Tangara velia
Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Yellow-bellied Tanager Tangara xanthogastra
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Black-faced Dacnis Dacnis lineata
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus

SALTATORS, GROSBEAKS, ETC. Cardinalidae
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides
Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanocompsa brissonii
Yellow-green Grosbeak Caryothraustes canadensis
Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis

EMBERIZID FINCHES Emberizidae
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor
Lesser (Chestnut-bellied) Seed-Finch Oryzoborus (a.) angolensis
Gray Seedeater Sporophila intermedia
Plumbeous Seedeater Sporophila plumbea
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Stripe-tailed Yellow-Finch Sicalis citrina
Gray Pileated-Finch (Pileated Finch) Coryphospingus pileatus
Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch Atlapetes semirufus
Tepui Brush-Finch Atlapetes personatus
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch Buarremon torquatus H
Pectoral Sparrow Arremon taciturnus H
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS Icteridae
Yellow-hooded Blackbird Agelaius icterocephalus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris
Golden-tufted Mountain-Grackle Macroagelaius imthurni
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Moriche Oriole Icterus chrysocephalus
Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis
Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus
Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
Green Oropendola Psarocolius viridis

CARDUELINE FINCHES Fringillidae
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria